Kering deploys water strategy to achieve net positive impact by 2050

Kering has unveiled its new Water-Positive Strategy, with a commitment to achieve a net water-positive impact by 2050, and to promote net water-positive impacts in its supply chain’s key regions by 2035.

The initiative, announced on Earth Day by the French luxury group, owner of Gucci and Balenciaga, aims to reduce water consumption, and to actively regenerate water and its related ecosystems in the areas where Kering operates.

The strategy reflects a new phase in Kering’s science-backed sustainability approach, recognising that the causes and consequences of climate change, biodiversity loss and water scarcity are inextricably linked.

Kering will focus on 10 priority water basins, and will work with local stakeholders to significantly improve water quality, quantity, and accessibility in the basins’ regions.

The strategy will introduce a change in Kering’s raw materials sourcing policy, with a focus on fabrics that can relieve pressure on nature and water, such as recycled textiles and innovative alternatives.

Kering is also aiming to strengthen sustainable water management in its own and its supply chain’s operations, by adopting best practices and innovative technologies, such as chromium-free, low-impact tanning agents.

To support the programme, Kering will set up a Water Resilience Lab in each of its 10 designated basins by 2035, working to regenerate freshwater ecosystems in water-stressed areas. The first Lab will be launched in autumn 2025 in the river Arno basin in Tuscany, home to many of the group’s tanneries and their suppliers.

“The need for responsible corporate water stewardship to stay within the planetary boundaries has never been more urgent. It is crucial that water commitments evolve from a reductions-only approach to become water-positive, regenerating and replenishing water and ecosystems associated with all business activities. Accordingly, Kering’s Water-Positive Strategy has been designed to be transformative, and we will collaborate with local stakeholders to deliver measurable water-positive outcomes to enhance social, environmental and economic resilience, and ultimately contribute to making clean water available to everyone,” said Marie-Claire Daveu, Kering’s chief sustainability and institutional affairs officer.